Our priority is to protect our Service members, Department of Defense (DOD) civilians and families to safeguard national security capabilities and support the whole-of-government response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The DOD has an independent but collaborative program with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to provide COVID-19 vaccines to DOD uniformed service members. This includes active duty, Guard/Reserve, retirees, family members, civilian employees and selected DOD contract personnel.
All eligible and authorized TRICARE beneficiaries can make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, as available, at a DOD vaccination site.
The vaccine itself is offered at no cost, but there may be a cost based on your plan for an office visit or if you require follow-on care. Wherever you eventually receive your vaccination, please remember you'll need to check availability before showing up. To find out more, please visit www.tricare.mil/COVIDVaccine.
COVID-19 Vaccines
The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all age 5 years of age and older. FDA-approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccines currently available to all U.S. citizens and residents are Pfizer-BioNTech-COMIRNATY®, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen.
- COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and free.
- Getting the vaccine can reduce the risk of severe disease, hospitalizations and long-term complications for COVID-19.
- For children, the vaccine can also curb community transmission and reduce disruptions to in-person learning activities.
To learn more, visit the CDC website to get answers to frequently asked questions, see Interim Clinical Considerations, and bust myths about vaccines.
Vaccines for Children
The CDC recommended all children age 5 years and older receive the Pfizer-BioTech COVID-19 vaccine, 2 dose series, 21 days apart.
- For children ages 5-11: pediatric dose (purple cap)
- Currently, COVID-19 vaccines are not authorized for children under 5 years of age.
- Visit the CDC website for more info.
If you’re unsure if the vaccine is right for your child, we recommend discussing your child’s medical conditions, including prior reaction to vaccines, with a medical provider. For some immunocompromised children, a third primary series/additional dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is now recommended for children age 5-11.
Booster Dose
- People age 18 years and older who received Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines should get a booster.
- The CDC now recommends children 12 and older, who completed the primary series of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine should receive a booster dose after 5 months.
- Those who received the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine are recommended to receive a booster dose after 2 months.
To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit www.tricare.mil/COVIDVaccine.